I've not used ImToo on my Mac, but I use it for Windows and have had no problems with it whatsoever.

And I think if you install some codecs and create a reference movie of the unsupported format, and then import it into the iTunes library, it should play._________________Mac Mini - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz; 2GB DDR2 RAM; 120GB HD.

insert the DVD in the drive (mine auto ran DVDPlayer so had to stop that)
start up handbrake
click source and select the DVD
handbrake should start to read the disk, filling in things such as the Title, Chapters, Duration etc
Click the toggle presets button and select AppleTV
Use the browse button to select a location to save to, mine defaulted to desktop.
then click START and sit back for a while.

{edit}
As a test and rather than waiting for it to finish, just let it start and run for a minute then press STOP. You should have a small file , which you can run to test if everything is working_________________Phil

I agree with Cypher, Handbrake works with ease. I use it to convert DVDs to view on my iPod Touch. Just select AppleTV from the presets and let it go. Yes, as Cypher says, sit back for awhile as it does take a bit of time to convert._________________2.5 GHZ i5 Mac Minu 8Gb Ram
2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo Mini, 4Gb RAM
SE
AppleTVII
16GB iPod Touch 32Gb iPhone
32GB Wi-Fi iPad

i dont have an atv but to put it on an ipod classic all you do is drag the file onto the library icon and let it add it to your library. when done delete the old file because itunes makes a copy of it and puts it in the folder where all your music is stored. finally download the cover art from the internet and enjoy _________________bfuerst
1.83 c2d mac mini- 7200 rpm hdd, 3 gbs ram, wireless n, dvd burner
80 gb ipod classic
apple bluetooth wireless mouse
apple aluminum keyboard
22 inch Samsung Display

What is the best bitrate to use when trying to preserve as much of the DVD's visual quality? What bitrate is used on the SD movies sold via the iTunes store?

I heard everything from use the default, which I believe is 2500, to using (at a max) 5000. I want to keep certain films looking as good as possible, where others (like older TV show episodes), it wouldn't matter much.

I ask because I am trying to start to convert some of the stuff I have now in preparation of buying an Apple TV (probably next month) and I would really hate wasting my time with something that the ATV couldn't even play. I also am thinking about just buying the movies from here on out via the store as well.

I heard everything from use the default, which I believe is 2500, to using (at a max) 5000. I want to keep certain films looking as good as possible, where others (like older TV show episodes), it wouldn't matter much.

I think anything above 2500kbps is overkill with Handbrake. Plus, it will take forever to encode.

How does the video quality of a ripped Handbrake file vs the actual DVD? I've got a 56" Samsung DLP. I have a an older Sony DVD player with no upconverting but the TV must upconvert pretty well because the video quality of SD DVD. Enough for me to wait until Blueray plays get down to $99. I don't have an Apple TV yet.